{Insert Wizard of Oz Quote Here}

Day 2 of our Okie-crusted trip was dominated by a visit to the GW Exotic Animal Park near Wynnewood. This was the first day that we really felt the humidity. (We've actually decided that we prefer Phoenix summers to Oklahoma summers.) Addie's poor noggin was sweating after 10 minutes outside. Her hair has never been curlier:


Anyhoo, the park was truly one of a kind. It's mainly a refuge for unwanted exotic animals. You know, those idiots who think a tiger cub is cute until it eats their Maltese. And you get disturbingly close to the wildlife:



This particular guy was enjoying his nap and got a little nasty if you made too much noise:


And here's a little video that gives a little more perspective on how the park is set up, since Mike is moving around a bit, trying to get a tiger to charge the fence. He is successful, but because of the freezing-up nature of the video, you can only see the end of the excitement:

Should you frequent the Wynnewood area of Oklahoma, do check out this place out. There are something like 200 wild cats there, including a couple of Ligers. But I caution against wearing Flame by BK when you go.

A High Time for Tea

You know me. I love tea. (end of poem)

I had my bridal shower at the Beehive Tea Room in Salt Lake City. I've dragged my family members to overpriced High Teas at the Grand America. I've made my long-suffering husband deign to be the only man in a tea house on multiple occasions. So I've been hankering for a good tea since we've been down in Phoenix, but I didn't know where to scratch the itch.

Enter Kimberly Ann's Tea Room in downtown Glendale. I went with some other med school wives - Emily, Adrianne and Rebekah (L to R):


Sure, it wasn't the most elegant of tea rooms I've been too, but they tried to keep it classy:


It was relaxing and mostly delicious, and an added bonus that we were seated in the aptly named Princess Room because the rest of the house was "booked up" (read: the tables hadn't been cleared). And then we found the dress-up box with the hats:


And I'm pretty sure I may have created a High Tea-sized hole in their hearts that will hunger to be filled on a semi-regular basis, as proved by the dreamy look in Emily's eyes:


This hunger has been temporarily abated, but be forewarned: I will need High Tea again. Some may welcome it; others (Mike) may dread it.

That's not a slide. THIS is a slide!

Community Church of Joy had a leetle carnival last Friday, so the Cupaks and the Brookses traipsed off to see what fun could be had for our children. While the older Brooks boys were enraptured by rides and cotton candy, our little one was more about the {your adjective here} music:

After a little walking, a little dancing, more walking (away from mom and dad) and dancing, we cojoled her into going on the largest slide she's ever seen. Twice.

The best $12 we've spent in a long time.